Loney Meadow Camping

Finally, camping at Loney Meadows! My friend C and I have been trying to do this for four years! Year one: she got sick. Year two: A crazy snow year and everything still buried. Year three: Major got a splint the two weeks before and needed rest. this year was it!

We were still concerned something would happen. But instead we had a great trip, mostly uneventful, with gorgeous views, difficult trails, with wonderful horses. (Honestly words cannot explain much, so this and the next post are mostly gorgeous photos).

the boys settled in, enough hay for an army

It did take a little time to set up camp, rig up the highline (remember that bringing a ladder is a much better idea than balancing an upside-down bucket on a plastic tote container) but we did a quick ride the first day.

road with a creek, horses loved the clear water

Culbertson lake

I had hiked the second-day loop when camping last year, and this time did it was great to see it from horseback. Of course the first 1.5 miles are dirt road. That the horses death-marched up. It was super rocky, with pointy edges sticking out from rocky gravel. Both horses are smart enough to know not to be going too fast, and also that this is not fun. Eventually we got to the trail though. And the views were worth it.

Feely Lake

Added bonus of good grassy water plant in the lake!

Island Lake

rocky trail below

a bit of a slope and Major being a dork

quizzical ears: we have to go up this?!

just a bit rocky

Crooked Lakes trail junction

Penner Lake lunch break, 6800 feet

On top of the world, leaving Penner lake

The trail was just a bit rocky

But the meadow was gorgeous (we just missed the main bloom though!)

Loney Meadow

photo bomb by Friday

Once back from our ride we put the horses away, clean ourselves up a bit (I'd dunk in the tiny creek). I'd read a book, relax, watch the horses, take them for a little walk, repeat. Needed relaxation.

Then plan for our ride the next day!

Tevis sweep adventure

I think I'm recovered. Not just from my sweep, but from camping the week before too (more on that later).

Major waiting patiently at Squaw Valley

I have to start my saying this did nothing to convince me I should try riding Tevis myself! Maybe because this is just such a hard, rocky section, but I'm amazed at those who attempt this ride. Finish or not, wow.

riding out at dark-thirty

away we go, up the mountain

view from above

We drove up to Squaw Valley. We were the second sweep team, the first team goes from Robie Point to High Camp, we were High Camp to Robinson Flat. But we camped at Squaw Valley, the closest access point. Along with hundreds of yoga people. Yeah, there was a yoga festival going on. With concerts till midnight and the loud bar next door until 2. Fun times.

With very little sleep we started up the trail at 5:45am. We needed to get to High Camp before the bulk of riders came through. Only 3.5 miles, but 2500 feet of climbing. With gorgeous views. Major got a bit wound up, wanting to join the race, but was controllable. I think it was good practice to have so many horses passing him, and making him walk. Maybe this will translate to a better ride start (yeah, right!).

mountain at sunrise (there is a gondola for the easier way up)

sunrise, and riders coming on the trail (look closely in the dust!)

A few of the front runners went flying by about 6:30, and we waited a High Camp for the all clear. We had the final count and watched the final rider go down the trail. We were supposed to stay close, but not too close, don't want to stress anyone or cause them to hurry (ride your own ride!)

waiting at High Camp as the riders came through

High Camp view, not a bad place to wait

Last rider over the ridge (not following too closely!)

And then we just rode the trail. We went pretty slowly, the final rider was being careful and slow. The trail was gorgeous and rocky, the bogs were a bit more muddy (since 158 other horses had already gone through!) Major was pretty awesome, drinking out of a creek, navigating the terrain, walking and not being silly.

view with evidence of hydraulic mining

horse ears, mules ears (flowers)

Our team leader kept track with her radio, letting the command team know our location, listening for any problems we might be encountering. There was one trail incident on our section, but nothing we could do to help, as vets and staff were already there (And sadly it was a friend, words cannot express how shocked and sad we are). The rest of the trail was uneventful. But long.

The final rider got into Red Star Ridge, close to the cut off time for Robinson Flat, another 7 miles away. So she was pulled overtime, and we were free to travel down the trail. A long, dusty, rocky, downhill road. It was nasty. We were hot. Major was not very keen, but sorry buddy, we need to get back to the trailer!

the long hot road into Robinson Flat

just a little steep

the team is finally done! Major still looks pretty chipper

It was a long day. We got into Robinson Flat about 1:45. I swear all the walking is harder than trotting an endurance ride! Most everyone had left, our horses drank up a storm, gobbled some mash, and rested a bit. My awesome SO had driven my trailer back from Squaw to Robinson, a very long day for him too! But we still had to get home to Auburn. Back home Major first rolled and then went and drank his own better water. Now he gets a much deserved break.

SOS was quite an experience. I would do it again, and hope the day was shorter, but you are out there for the riders, and you never know the situations you might encounter. This is a great way to explore the trail and help at the same time. The riders were saw were courteous and thankful, the volunteers amazing at holding our horses and filling our water bottles. No one seemed to think we were "only" sweep riders. Tevis is such a community, with volunteers doing radio, horse transport, sweep, clean-up, trail marking, vet assistance and every little organizing thing you can think of (and more). The logistics are staggering.

Sunday morning I was able to see Mel and Farley, looking pretty damn great for as far as they want, and meet the great Funder (who awesomely loaned me a book). I chatted with the folks I crewed for last year, watched some of the horses show for Best Condition (after 100 miles, wow they look amazing) and then went home and slept.

Then tortured Major with a bath and pacified him with apples. It was a long, great adventure.

Tevis sweep pre-ride

Yesterday I headed out with my sweep partner and another experienced sweeper. My section is High Camp (Squaw Valley) to Robinson Flat. We were lucky enough to get clearance from Squaw Valley to start at the top. I really mean the top.




We had perfect weather. Not only were we sweeping, but we were marking trail, the last people over the trail till next week.




The bogs weren't bad, the flies were tolerable. We had to move pretty slowly as we marked trail.




I got to see some fun sights along the trail, like Watson monument.




Hodgkin's cabin (not sure on the spelling)




The infamous Cougar Rock. Which I went up partway just to look. Not that bad IF you have lots of momentum. Not walking like we were!




Elephants trunk which wasn't scary for me at all. My riding partner didn't like it, so just followed closely not looking down!




The trail was gorgeous. And rocky, so much rock! But the views were lovely, inadequate in photos.




Again we were lucky and got picked up at Red Star, not having to ride the horses the 7 miles of dirt road into Robinson. But we had to drive it, which may have been worse, it wasn't much faster!

My crazy week has just begun. Now is camping for a few days with horses at Loney Meadows, then back for Tevis. Good luck to everyone riding, hope to not see you on the trail!

under the bridge

Some of the ubiquitous photos of my horse's ears and No Hands Bridge. I've taken this picture so many times.

But I'd never been UNDER the bridge. On a rare overcast days few weeks ago, I needed a little adventure, and took a quick trip down the road to the American River Confluence. For a different view.

downstream, the bridge stands since 1912

stills standing on old supports, which have been reinforced

remnants of other bridges, constructions

queen anne's lace seems too delicate for here

serpentine rock and failed bridge concrete abutment

among rocks the purple glows

lavender flowers in the shadow of the bridge

gracefully arching over the river

a happy bee finds a bedraggled flower

black swallowtail

bore hole tests rocks strength

the remnants of the 1948 bridge from the flood of 1964

fuzzy plant, I'll call her Audrey

the bridge with all that history...the rock holds more

I don't think this newer bridge will ever have the appeal

still waters run deep? Not here, cold and fast, deceptively so

There is a reason this bridge has stood through time. Built to last, next weekend it will see the Tevis riders cross in the dark one more time. Another chapter in history. More stories to tell.

what works?

waste time, customize your own pony! highly addicting!

I have my tack mostly well set. I like my saddle, pad, etc. Would I LIKE a prettier halter-bridle in orange/black? Yes please. But my old one in green/black is too well made, dammit. No replacement for awhile.

I also like my clothes, which seem to be working for now, though my chaps are probably in their final season. And aren't made any more. And I have "fuller filly" calves. Yeah, healthy person calves (not that I have a complex about it or anything).

I don't carry much in my front saddle bags except a few emergency supplies, snacks and gloves. Carrots and waters in the larger pockets, and I finally found some bottles with squirt tops that I like.

But I need to carry more water. I haven't liked using a rear saddle pack, I don't like how it attaches to the saddle, and you have to contort yourself to get anything out. I'd like to try a small camelbak-type pack. I'm very leery of this, since I hate backpacks of all kinds. I hate a waist strap, feel too confined. A chest strap will be necessary, I don't have much to squish anyway, but adjustable/womens would be nice. I also worry about adjusting to a different weight/balance. I tried a camelbak classic at Big 5 for kicks, seemed like a good size, and not as pricey of a mistake if I don't like it ($58).

I don't think I can try something new right now, I'll need a few practice rides in it, so I think I'm stuck for my Tevis sweep. I'm doing the portion from High Camp to Robinson, 26 miles, hoping the water I have holds out! I know it is a dusty section, hopefully not too hot!

I know lots of riders have packs they like. What brand/stye works for you? Any and all suggestions and recommendations are appreciated!